Vehicle Accident Facts–drunk Driving Is Never A Good Idea

The numbers are staggering. In the US, 41,059 fatalities have been recorded in the latest survey (2007). Out of that number, 12,998 are related to alcohol-impaired driving.

Vehicle accident attorneys deal with personal injury cases brought about by irresponsible decisions. The fact is, drunk driving not only puts the driver at risk but also those that he/she will encounter on the road.

Going legal?

In the US, the legal limit for driving while under the influence of alcohol is a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) level of .08. To understand this better, a 120-pound woman can reach this BAC after two drinks. A 180-pound man may reach a .08 BAC after four drinks. Of course, different people have a different level of tolerance for alcohol.

In reality, some people may already exhibit some impairment in decision-making even when their BAC is still .02, a lot less than the legal limit. Alcohol-impaired drivers have a hard time making quick judgment calls in emergencies. Their reaction time is slower, even if it is not obvious at first. Most drivers overestimate their capability to drive when they are drunk.

Studies have shown that when approaching the borderline of what is considered legal intoxication, people exhibit symptoms such as

• poor hand and eye coordination

• poor muscle coordination

• difficulty detecting danger

• difficulty controlling their temper

• impaired reasoning and memory

If you have friend or family member who you think is a potential hazard on the road because of his/her drinking habits, it might be best if you get them the right kind of help.
This may be a challenge, as people who have a drinking problem cannot be forced to seek help except when the damage has already been done. In other words, unless there has already been a court ruling that will force him/her to get help. Vehicle accident attorneys will have lesser things to worry about and more families will be spared the grief of losing loved ones, if you make a decision to step up and help.

Here are few things you can try when getting help for a family member or friend:

• Do not cover up for him/her – peer pressure may sometimes lead us to cover up the problem, or incidents where accidents almost happened. Covering up will not help anyone. Little accidents may someday escalate into serious accidents.

• Get help – ask family and friends to help you when you confront the person concerned. There is strength in numbers and this will also give the person concerned the impression that he/she can count on the support of the people that care about him/her.

• Be specific – when talking to your friend, or his/her family about the problem, be sure to be specific with your details. Tell them of instances when he/she exhibited poor judgment, instances when drinking has caused problems. Doing this makes the problem more real in the eyes of the person involved.

Remember that you do not have to be an alcoholic to experience problems. It is a matter of being able to see yourself when you are alcohol-impaired. Sometimes you really cannot see it on your own.

If you have figured in a car accident and think that it is due to the negligent driving of the other party, especially if that other party is driving while under the influence, seek legal advice. Vehicle accident attorneys will help you get the justice you deserve.

Article Source: http://www.articlemonk.com

To help you with vehicle accident issues, consult with our expert Los Angeles vehicle accident attorneys. Visit our website and avail of our free case evaluation.

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